Best politics" "society" "inspiration" "good News Podcasts (2024)

1
What Next: America Can't Quit Trump 27:04

40m ago27:04

27:04

Trump has just about done it again—and the country’s largely swinging further to the right on down-ballot candidates and even some ballot initiatives. Why couldn’t the Harris campaign pull it off, and what do other key losses for the Democrats say about what Americans want? Guest: David Faris, politics professor at Roosevelt University and contribu…

1
Well, Now: Getting to the Heart of Hormonal Health 50:06

42m ago50:06

50:06

Hormones influence everything from mood and energy levels to fertility and long-term health. Yet for many, hormonal health remains shrouded in mystery. When women do seek guidance from their OBGYNs, they’re often told birth control is the only option for treating hormone-related issues like PCOS and endometriosis. But that wasn’t going to cut it fo…

1
Culture Gabfest: How Quincy Jones Reinvented American Music 1:13:19

25m ago1:13:19

1:13:19

On this week’s show, Extremely Musical Friend of the Pod (EMFOP)‌ Chris Molanphy joins to memorialize pop’s Renaissance Man, Quincy Jones, who passed away on November 3, 2024. The legendary producer worked with every star under the sun, including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Chaka Khan, and created the best-selling album in history. (“Thriller…

1
ICYMI: Bodega Cats and Cussing Out Your Boss 38:33

27m ago38:33

38:33

On today’s episode, Candice Lim is joined by Slate culture writer Nadira Goffe to share their favorite TikToks, tweets, and internet icons of late. They’ll discuss construction workers going viral and the newest Abbott Elementary guest star to inspire fan edits galore. But first, they discuss the peculiarity of People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive r…

1
Outward: Gays in the Woods: History and Identity with Ben Miller 39:21

27m ago39:21

39:21

In this episode, historian Ben Miller chats with Bryan Lowder about the surprising ways white gay men have romanticized the idea of the 'primitive' in their search for utopia. Ben shares stories about key figures like Harry Hay and the radical gay activism of the 70s that centered a 'back to the land' fantasy that relied on racialized fantasies of …

1
W5: Paying Flowers Forward 5:34

4h ago5:34

5:34

Some things in life just seem to fit together perfectly…almost, mysteriously. A few weeks ago in Kansas City, the owner of KC Flower Company had a customer purchase an arrangement of flowers, and then hand them right back to her. What happened next was heartwarming and it renews your belief that some things are larger than mere luck. Hosted on Acas…

1
Decoder Ring: A Feel-Good Story About the End of the World 43:36

12m ago43:36

43:36

The fear that the Earth could be destroyed by a killer asteroid is an anxiety that pops up all the time in fiction and is grounded in fact. But funnily enough—actually being pancaked by a giant space rock? Not something you need to spend a whole lot of time worrying about! And that’s because a bunch of NASA scientists and engineers are already worr…

1
How To!: Lead Your Local Nonprofit 41:41

1h ago41:41

41:41

Heather recently joined the board of her local library, a beloved institution from her childhood. While continuing to balance her day job, she is excited to be an active and engaged member of this community-led organization. But she’s also grappling with time management and effective communication with her fellow board members. How can she express …

1
Death, Sex & Money: A Celebration (and Critique) of American Freedom 50:10

17m ago50:10

50:10

From an early age, Alynda Segarra saw the people they loved grind it out in an American system that offered them little reward. Their father, a musician and Vietnam War veteran, suffered from PTSD, and their aunt and uncle, with whom they lived, were stretched beyond their means. Alynda decided they would take a different path: drop out of school, …

1
What Next: A Shocking and Predictable Election 30:18

9h ago30:18

30:18

It’s been a strange election—Trump being shot at on stage; Biden dropping out—but also a very familiar one, with the same issues, same rhetoric, and same deadlocked, dysfunctional Congress waiting on the other side. How long will the political Groundhog Day last—and what will it take to break this cycle? Guests: Jamelle Bouie, New York Times opinio…

1
The Backstory: Politics meets The Purge 6:54

4h ago6:54

6:54

We think the political scene these days is intense...let’s go back to the 19th century and see how political passion led to legal murder! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
Hang Up: The Dodgers Bring Glory Back to L.A. 1:05:00

23m ago1:05:00

1:05:00

Hosts Alex Kirshner, Lindsay Gibbs, and Ben Lindbergh talk about the dominant Dodgers, why NCAA coaches are hiring lobbyists, election gambling, and the return of Afterballs! On the Bonus episode exclusively for Slate Plus members, the hosts get into esports, and gaming star FAKER's fifth League of Legends World Championship. World Series (4:47): T…

1
Get Out the Vote Series, Episode Three: Civic Engagement All Year Long 23:45

1d ago23:45

23:45

Send us a text Good news happens! Election Week is here, and this week’s episode concludes our three-part Get Out the Vote series. This episode is all about civic engagement. We’ll chat with Amanda Sandoval, United Way director of systems change and public policy on how you can make your voice heard through civic engagement on election day and all …

1
M5: The Fight To Vote 7:09

2h ago7:09

7:09

Are you voting for Donald Trump or Kamala Harris? Or does your vote even matter? As we enter Election Day, questioning whether it’s worth disrupting our day to vote is somewhat normal. In this pre-election episode, we look back at the history of voting rights and just how much people sacrificed so we can freely walk into a polling station and cast …

1
Care & Feeding: Talking To Kids About The Election 1:02:57

31m ago1:02:57

1:02:57

On this episode: Elizabeth, Lucy and Zak share how they’re talking to the kids about tomorrow’s election. We’ll offer tips for cutting through the noise to talk civics… and also how to address the serious, nasty, and scary. Elizabeth’s book recommendations: V is for Voting by Kate Farrell Equality’s Call: the Story of Voting Rights in America by De…

1
What Next: What to Watch While Watching Election Results 32:20

13m ago32:20

32:20

The worst part about the election being tomorrow is knowing that we (almost definitely) won’t know the results tomorrow. Guests: Ari Berman, voting rights reporter for Mother Jones Kadia Goba, political reporter for Semafor Isaac Saul, founder of the Tangle newsletter Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the w…

1
What Next TBD: u up? Go vote. 25:59

16m ago25:59

25:59

Voters in swing states are being subjected to constant political messages—on billboards, commercials and, increasingly, via text messages. But are dozens of “make a plan to vote” texts you’re receiving going to make a difference? Guest: Jacob Neiheisel, political science professor at the University at Buffalo Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to S…

1
Slate Money: Who Do Washington Post Boycotts Hurt? Not Jeff Bezos. 53:35

4d ago53:35

53:35

This week: Readers aren’t buying Jeff Bezos’ claim that killing the Washington Posts’ presidential endorsement wasn’t from his own business interests. Emily Peck, Elizabeth Spiers, and Anna Szymanski weigh in on how the move may or may not help Bezos and what the WaPo boycott can actually accomplish. Also: How would a Trump victory affect the econo…

1
ICYMI: The Internet’s Favorite Fictional Presidents 47:40

18m ago47:40

47:40

Candice Lim is joined by Pop Culture Debate Club host Ronald Young Jr. to reveal their favorite fictional presidents of film, television, and the internet. Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook were historically platforms rife with presidential meme content. Since the 2016 election, however, there seems to have been a shift in the way the internet talks — …

1
Amicus | The Great Big Pre-Election Freedom and Democracy Show 1:17:03

18m ago1:17:03

1:17:03

This week’s show is unapologetically long, deep, and hopeful. Dahlia Lithwick is joined by Yale history professor Timothy Snyder to talk about his new book, On Freedom, and to have the audacity to re-imagine freedom on the precipice of an election that could turn the United States hard right into tyranny. Next, Dahlia is joined by Rick Hasen, Direc…

1
#198: Charlie Locke (Lake Louise) - Ski Resorts, Oil Wells & Mountaineering: 50 Years of Entrepreneurship & Adventure 39:15

4h ago39:15

39:15

Greetings & welcome back to the podcast. This episode we are joined by Mr. Charlie Locke - Owner of the Lake Louise Ski Resort, and the Locke Stock & Barrel Company Ltd. which includes (among other investments) ranching interests & oil and gas production in the Bearspaw Area, west central Alberta, and in Montana. Mr. Locke was also one of Canada’s …

1
What Next TBD: What Elon Wants From Trump 32:55

44m ago32:55

32:55

How did Elon Musk go from a poster to someone pumping millions of dollars towards Donald Trump? And what’s he hoping to get for doing so? Guest: Max Chafkin, Bloomberg Businessweek columnist. Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe tod…

1
Dear Prudence | My Wife Won’t Stop Correcting My Grammar. Help! 43:34

44m ago43:34

43:34

Guest Prudie Ashley C. Ford is joined by entertainment writer and comedian H. Alan Scott. Together, they answer letters from a sibling who’s trying to understand a boundary, a parent worried about how their spouse speaks to them in front of their child, and someone feeling deep regret about a lost friendship. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to S…

1
A Word | Star Man: Merlin’s Tour of the Universe 42:30

44m ago42:30

42:30

Neil deGrasse Tyson’s life-long love of science led him to astrophysics and a career as the nation’s premiere voice on making science accessible for all. On today’s episode of A Word, he joins host Jason Johnson for a conversation about the new edition of his book, Merlin’s Tour of the Universe, Revised and Updated for the Twenty-First Century: A T…

1
F4: Cynicism Is Not Trustworthy 6:40

3h ago6:40

6:40

Do you feel like you’re cynical, and there’s nothing you can do to change it? If so, there’s good news. Changing is much easier and faster than you think, and the benefits of being less cynical are worth fighting for. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be an idealist, just make some small changes and prepare to see your future in a brighter light. In t…

1
The Backstory: Searching for the killer called the Axeman 7:35

11m ago7:35

7:35

New Orleans was terrorized in 1918 and 1919 by the Axeman. He targeted the families of Italian grocers, broke into their homes in the dead of night, and went after them with an axe...or whatever else he could find. Who was he and why did he do this? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Political Gabfest: Floating Island of Garbage 1:10:35

1h ago1:10:35

1:10:35

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the final week of the presidential campaign; the threats to election integrity; and the consequences of not endorsing. Join us on December 4 for Political Gabfest Live in Brooklyn! Tickets are on sale now. And send us your Conundrums at slate.com/conundrum. Email your chatters, quest…

1
Care & Feeding: Is It Creepy To Photograph Other Kids’ Costumes? 58:31

1h ago58:31

58:31

On this episode: Lucy, Zak and Elizabeth answer a listener's question about something that happened last Halloween… when an older gentleman might’ve taken a photo of her young kid. We’ll talk about whether it’s as creepy as it sounds — and also, why Elizabeth is over Halloween. We’ll also circle up for a round of triumphs and fails — including an u…

1
The “Carets & Sticks” Edition 1:41:11

1h ago1:41:11

1:41:11

Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —Days of Repentance, This Time With Bombs— What are we to make of Israel’s weekend attack on Iran? —All We Know— What Wikipedia has …

1
Vote Blue, Save YOU! 55:14

3h ago55:14

55:14

In this episode of Laugh and Learn, comedian Flame Monroe and co-host Bobbi Clifford discuss the legacy of actress Terry Gahr, the political landscape as the election approaches, the role of comedy in politics, voting anxiety, and the importance of civic engagement. They discuss the implications of Trump's potential return to power, the current eco…

1
What Next | Spoiler Alert: The People Policing Your Vote 29:36

6m ago29:36

29:36

They believe they are the law. They believe the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump. They’re determined not to let it happen again. Meet the constitutional sheriffs. Guest: David Gilbert, reports on disinformation, online extremism and election hucksters for WIRED. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to t…

1
Well, Now: Weed’s Growing (and Alarming) Side Effects 38:34

1h ago38:34

38:34

Nearly half of states – 24 and Washington, D.C – have legalized recreational marijuana. As more people report regularly using it, physicians are seeing patients with alarming side effects related to their cannabis use. On this week’s episode of Well, Now Kavita and Maya sit down with internist and pediatrician Dr. Brittany Tayler to better understa…

1
Culture Gabfest: Can Stolen Artifacts Return Time?‌ 1:01:13

8h ago1:01:13

1:01:13

On this week’s show, Slate senior editor Rebecca Onion sits in for Julia Turner. First, the hosts examine Dahomey, an audacious new documentary by acclaimed filmmaker Mati Diop (Atlantics.)‌ With a one hour, eight minute run time, Dahomey is an incredibly rich text in a very small package, and contemplates the repatriation of 26 royal treasures plu…

1
What Next: Spoiler Alert: Almighty Omaha 29:56

7h ago29:56

29:56

It’s gone to Trump once and Biden once. Now, there’s a slight but very real chance that the entire election will turn based on how Nebraska’s second congressional district—with its singular electoral college vote—goes. Guest: Paul Kane, congressional reporter at the Washington Post. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free lis…

1
Outward: Building Movements with Gender Liberation March Organizers Raquel Willis and Eliel Cruz 44:18

2h ago44:18

44:18

On September 14th 2024, thousands of people joined the Gender Liberation March in Washington D.C. to join the call to protect reproductive health, bodily autonomy, and comprehensive healthcare access. In this episode, Jules Gill-Peterson sits down with lead organizers Raquel Willis and Eliel Cruz to talk about the march and movement building during…

1
ICYMI: The Breakup Reddit Can’t Stop Talking About 55:36

2h ago55:36

55:36

Candice Lim and Slate culture writer Nadira Goffe dissect the drama surrounding country singer Zach Bryan and his breakup with Barstool Sports personality Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia. On October 22, Bryan announced via Instagram Story that he had split from LaPaglia, which did not surprise certain corners of Reddit who had been discussing alleged…

1
W4: Finding A Family's Future In An Envelope 5:41

2d ago5:41

5:41

Not everyone keeps their savings in a bank account. In some cultures, it’s customary to keep it in cash and carry it with you. Van Ha, originally from Vietnam, is a woman in her 70s who keeps her savings with her at all times in an envelope. Well, she did, until a few months ago, she lost it one afternoon while shopping at a Boston-area Market Bask…

1
How To!: Face Your Fear of Dying (Encore) 34:38

1d ago34:38

34:38

Katie is terrified of dying. As the youngest in a big family, she can’t stop thinking about the fact that all her loved ones may die before she does. Katie is a comedy writer who knows how to get laughs, but her obsession with death is real, and getting in the way of living. In this episode of How To!, we bring on Rachel Menzies, a psychologist and…

1
Death, Sex & Money: The Making and Unmaking of a Productivity Perfectionist 51:18

2d ago51:18

51:18

This week, author and podcaster Kendra Adachi explains how she took perfectionism and strict time-management way too far and was forced to radically change her ways. Her new book is called The Plan: How to Manage Your Time Like a Lazy Genius, and it aims to be what most time-management books aren’t: flexible, kind, and applicable to people with bus…

1
Money Talks: The Gambler Who Bet on Alibaba 37:48

1d ago37:48

37:48

In this Money Talks: the man who would bet billions on a coin toss. Host Felix Salmon chats with Lionel Barber, whose new book Gambling Man: The Secret Story of the World’s Greatest Disruptor, Masayoshi Son reveals how the man who backed Alibaba became the world’s biggest maverick investor, throwing fortunes at enterprises that could either succeed…

1
What Next: Spoiler Alert: Undecided Voters 31:02

1d ago31:02

31:02

The hardest-to-reach portion of the electorate remains “undecided” at this point of the election cycle, but the outcome depends on which campaign can convince them to join their side. Guest: Michael Podhorzer, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress (CAP) and author of the substack Weekend Reading. We want to hear from you! Submit your an…

1
The Backstory: Back from the dead to take the gold 7:44

1d ago7:44

7:44

At age 16, Betty Robinson ran in the 1928 Olympics, the first games that allowed women to compete in track and field. She won gold and tied a world record. Three years later, she was in a horrific plane crash. Thought to be dead, she was taken to an undertaker. But her incredible determination and unbelievable recovery led her to another Olympic go…

1
Hang Up: Athletes Punt on 2024 1:01:41

1d ago1:01:41

1:01:41

Hosts Alex Kirshner, Lindsay Gibbs, and Ben Lindbergh examine the notable silence from major sports stars on this year’s presidential election. They also discuss Michael Jordan's legal battle against NASCAR, plus the first week of the NBA regular season. In the Bonus episode exclusively for Slate Plus subscribers, the panel reflects on the life and…

1
Restoring the "spark of possibility" in people's lives. 26:26

5d ago26:26

26:26

Send us a text Good news happens! In this episode, we visit BENU Community Home in Seattle, a transitional shelter for single adult males experiencing homelessness that was launched more than two years ago by United Way of King County grantee Africatown Community Land Trust. United Way proudly spotlights the BENU Community Home and its efforts to h…

1
Care & Feeding: Revisiting Modern Puberty, Explained 33:11

2d ago33:11

33:11

We’re always getting questions about puberty. And even if we’re not dealing with a question explicitly about puberty, it seems like this topic always finds a way to come up anyway… like in last Thursday’s episode, for example. And puberty is always in the news – just this year, the NIH published research about precocious puberty caused by chemicals…

1
What Next | Spoiler Alert: Jill Stein 30:49

2d ago30:49

30:49

In a presidential race as tight as this one, a few thousand votes—in the right states—could be the difference. Is the Green Party candidate Jill Stein set up to be that difference, like so many Democrats believe she was in 2016? Guest: Matt Flegenheimer, correspondent for the New York Times specializing in long-form profiles of political figures. W…

1
M4: The Game Of Monopoly 6:43

8d ago6:43

6:43

Did you know the game of Monopoly was invented for political reasons in order to teach the dangers of capitalism in real estate? I dive into the roots of the game, the transition, and how it ended up in the form it is today. No matter the original intent, it’s still fun to have a board game that gives us a chance to slip into a cut-throat mindset, …

1
What Next TBD: Facebook for the Dead 26:05

3d ago26:05

26:05

He didn’t find his grandfather. But traveling to, photographing, and uploading his grandfather’s memorial stone gave him something else. Guest: Tony Tran, senior tech editor at Slate and author of the feature “My Weekends with the Dead.” Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and a…

1
Slate Money: Elon Musk’s Scheme to (Sort Of) Buy Trump Votes 56:07

4d ago56:07

56:07

This week: How do you buy an election? Throw a sweepstakes! Emily Peck, Elizabeth Spiers, and Rueters’ Anna Szymanski (filling in for Felix Salmon) discuss Elon Musk’s scheme to get potential Trump voters to the ballot box and the maneuverings of the campaign finance industrial complex. Next, they discuss a French gambler whose massive bet on the e…

1
ICYMI: How to Thrive as a Party of One 50:33

4d ago50:33

50:33

Candice Lim is joined by Meghan Keane, the founder of NPR’s Life Kit and the author of Party of One: Be Your Own Best Life Partner. We’re approaching “cuffing season,” a viral term that demarcates those colder months when everyone in your life suspiciously couples up. While it’s bred a whole economy of cozy, staying in vlogs and soft (or hard) laun…

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Politics" "society" "inspiration" "good News Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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